I-81 TRUCK CLIMBING LANE CLOSURES - WEEK OF DECEMBER 13 AND DECEMBER 20

STAUNTON – There will be frequent lane closures the weeks of Dec. 13 and Dec. 20 at the Interstate 81 truck climbing lane project in Rockbridge County. All work is weather permitting. Motorists should anticipate possible delays in this area.

The following lane closures will allow workers to set the Route 716 bridge structural steel.

On Dec. 14, 15 and 16 Route 716 will be closed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The schedule will be adjusted so school bus traffic will be able to use Route 716 and not use the detour.

Route 716 traffic can use the following detour:
Take Route 11 north past Route 716. At Route 712 take a left onto Route 712. Continue on Route 712 and take a left onto Route 717. Follow Route 717 to Route 716.

On Dec. 16 from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m., on I-81 there will be northbound single lane closures from mile marker 200 to mile marker 201.

Blasting will take place on Dec. 15, Dec.16, Dec. 21 and Dec. 22 at 1:30 p.m. The blasting locations will be on I-81 between mile-markers 197 to 200. Signs are posted in this area. Both northbound and southbound lanes will have a rolling mobile lane closure.

The blasting is part of the I-81 truck climbing lane project in Rockbridge County. The work zone is along the northbound lanes from mile marker 195.6 to 202.5, which is just north of Lexington. Blasting days will change weekly depending on project progress. Both northbound and southbound lanes will have a rolling mobile lane closure. Traffic will be slowed down so the blast area is clear of traffic during the actual blast period. Traffic will immediately resume through the area once conditions are deemed safe by crews at the site.

The I-81 truck climbing lane project valued at $74.2 million was awarded by Commonwealth Transportation Board on Feb. 5, 2009 to W. C. English Inc. of Lynchburg. Completion is scheduled for fall 2012. The work zone is along the northbound lanes from mile marker 195.6 to 202.5, which is just north of Lexington.

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